Meet the chicken pasta recipe of your dreams! Creamy Chicken Alfredo with sun dried tomato, spinach and bacon, you’ll love how the seasoned shredded chicken acts like a mop for the alfredo sauce. A quick 20 minute dinner!
Chicken Pasta recipe – loaded!
This is the pasta you make when you’ve had a bad day and you need a pick me up.
This is the pasta you make when you’ve had a great day, and want to finish on a high note.
This is the pasta you make when you need a quick dinner that everyone will devour.
And this is the pasta that you make just because there are few things in this world that can rival the feeling of complete and utter satisfaction as you slurp down a big bowl of creamy chicken pasta!
What you need
Here’s what you need. Just a quick note on a few of the items:
Wine – the secret ingredient! Wine gives the sauce that extra little something-something that gives the creamy Alfredo Sauce a restauaranty edge. If we’re going to make a luxe creamy pasta, let’s do it right! Non alcoholic sub – more chicken broth.
Parmesan – make sure it’s either freshly grated OR use the store bought finely shredded parmesan that looks like small thin batons. Do not use the store bought sand-like parmesan, it doesn’t melt properly in the sauce.
Sun Dried Tomato – you can skip this if you want, but it does give this pasta recipe an extra little za-za-zoom! I use the healthy no-oil strips, but you can absolutely use the type sold in jars in oil.
You’ll love how the seasoned shredded chicken acts like a mop for the creamy alfredo sauce!
Shredding the chicken is not something I’ve done for pastas I’ve previously shared. It works really well for this chicken pasta because the creamy sauce kind of clings to the chicken, making the overall eating experience even juicier and more slurp-worthy (if that were possible! 😂).
Quick 20 minute chicken dinner
This is terrifically quick and easy to make with a nice flow to it. Cook the chicken while the pasta cooking water comes to the boil. Then make the sauce while the pasta is cooking.
You’ll have dinner on the table in 20 minutes, and plates mopped clean minutes thereafter. How good is that??! ~ Nagi x
PS If you’re worried that this is a bit more indulgent that your usual midweek pasta, don’t let that stop you. It’s totally worth it – and you can eat air for dinner tomorrow 😉
More creamy pasta recipes
Fettuccine Alfredo – classic fettuccine with Alfredo sauce
Watch how to make it
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Chicken Pasta recipe of your dreams!
Ingredients
- 300g / 10 oz fettuccine (Note 1)
- 30g / 2 tbsp butter , separated
- 2 chicken breasts , cut in half horizontally
- 1/2 tsp each salt and pepper
- 2 garlic cloves , minced
- 1/2 cup (125ml) dry white wine (sub more chicken broth)
- 1/2 cup (125ml) chicken stock / broth , low sodium
- 1 1/4 cups (315ml) cream , thickened / heavy (Note 2)
- 3/4 cup (75g) parmesan , finely shredded (Note 3)
- 70g / 2.5oz baby spinach
- 100 g / 3oz sun dried tomato strips (Note 4)
Serving:
- 120g / 4oz bacon , cooked and crumbled
- More parmesan
- Parsley , for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Cook pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water for time per packet minus 1 1/2 minutes.
- Just before draining, scoop out a mugful of pasta cooking water. Then drain pasta.
Chicken:
- Sprinkle both sides of chicken with salt and pepper.
- Melt half the butter in a large skillet over hig heat.
- Add chicken and cook for 2 minutes on each side until deep golden.
- Remove chicken onto plate, rest for a few minutes then shred with 2 forks.
Alfredo Sauce:
- Turn down heat to medium high. In the same skillet, add remaining butter and garlic.
- Cook garlic for 30 seconds until golden, then add wine.
- Simmer rapidly, stirring to scrape the brown bits off the bottom of the pan. Once mostly evaporated, add chicken broth, cream, parmesan and sun dried tomato.
- Simmer on medium for 3 – 5 minutes, stirring leisurely, until it reduces and thickens.
Essential Tossing:
- Add spinach, chicken and cooked pasta.
- Toss for 1 1/2 – 2 minutes on the stove, until sauce thickens and coats the pasta strands (see VIDEO). Use pasta cooking water if needed if it gets too thick.
- Serve immediately with parmesan, crumbled bacon and parsley (if desired).
Recipe Notes:
Nutrition Information:
Life of Dozer
Another weekend of fun at Rick Stein’s Bannisters in Port Stephens! The RecipeTin Family took our mother up for a belated Mother’s Day weekend away. This photo was taken from outside her room – top floor, stunning views, huge sunny terrace and an extra large room.
In fact, everyone stayed up in the “good” rooms while I was relegated to the a ground floor room for easy pooping access to the lawn for Dozer. 😩
Could you use house sherry cooking wine instead of white?
Hi Alyssa, you can, it will be slightly sweeter though. N x
3rd time making this and everyone agrees it’s restaurant quality and even better in some cases! Husband makes it perfect every time only with a little more wine as he knows me too well!! Thank you for sharing x
I made this tonight and my husband’s verdict was ‘Spectacular!’. The sun dried tomatoes were a welcome flavour boost.
So so yummy, will be making this again 😁😁
Thanks for sharing this recipe 👏🏽👏🏽
Wish me luck going to make this for my picky daughter and grandson tonight! I will let you know the results….lol
It was outstanding!!!!! No leftovers… Lol
Fingers crossed Leslie!!! N x
Hi Nagi,
Thanks for another great recipe.
You mention not to use fresh pasta…. why is this? Thank you
Hi Mi, I find fresh pasta too delicate here and it falls apart – N x
OMG, made this tonight for dinner and it spook yum. I did use chicken thighs and velvetted them because I don’t like dry meat. I used Pesto instead of sun dried tomatoes because that is what I prefer. It was mouth watering delish. Another winner. Thanks Nagi.
I’m so glad you enjoyed it Michelle! N x
This dish is amazing and easy. What’s better than that?!?! I’ll tell you…even my kids loved it!
That’s the BEST Kathryn!!! N x
I never comment on these things, but Nagi I’ve cooked so many of your recipes I thought it’s time I should. They have all been 5 star. And this dish …… amaaaaaaaazing! The whole family got excited this morning when I announced I was making this for dinner tonight (again 😂).
Thank you for a great, easy and tasty recipe. I made this for dinner tonight with homemade fettuccini I made. My family loved it. Adding to my list x
I’m so glad you loved it Sonia, thanks for letting me know!! N x
Very tasty! Love that the sauce isn’t too thick – very slurpable!
And I LOVE anything slurpable 😉
I made this on Friday and it went down a storm. I love all your recipes and when I can’t think what to cook you’re my “go to” hero. Thanks (love your chicken shawama too)
My 14 year old made this last night. Best thing was, she watched the video and so needed very little help in making the dish. Tasted amazing. Thanks Nagi.
That’s amazing Lou!! What a star! N x
Can you use chicken thigh boneless and skinless instead of chicken breast for this???
This was so tasty! I swear by your recipes Nagi! Thank you for another favourite!
Another goodie. The whole family loved this. Even have half a jar of tomato strips leftover – yummo 😋
Wahoo!!! Winner winner chicken dinner! N x
Hi Nagi! I have cooked lots of your recipes now and every one has been amazing. Made this dish tonight and my husband says it was better than a restaurant meal! thank you for all your hard work in bringing us these fab recipes
Oh wow !
Loved, Loved, Loved
This pasta recipe.
Thanks again.
Hilary
Hi, just wondering why it says not to use fresh pasta!? I was going to make fettuccini and try it as it looks delicious. Thanks, Hannah
Wow my love an i made this together an wow..its amazing.. YUMMY..
I’m so glad you enjoyed it! N x
This was so good! I forgot to save the pasta water but the sauce still turned out delicious! I used regular spinach so I steamed it for a few minutes first before adding it to the pasta as I was worried it wouldn’t cook within a minute in a half. I would definitely make this again!!
Wahoo, that’s awesome Nicole – I’m so happy you enjoyed it! N x
Hi Nagi,
I cooked this for my family tonight and they loved it. Can’t wait to try more of your recipes. I also own a big boofy golden retriever. He is the best dog ever. Thanks for your blog!!
Cheers, Sara
That’s so great to hear Sara!